Resolving Webcam Driver Issues for Windows XP

The internet and all other information technologies have made our world a smaller place, allowing us to reach almost anybody else on the planet no matter where they are. For years, satellite phones and emails were the cutting edge of such instant communication, but the proliferation of high-speed internet access and cheap webcams now allow us to see who it is we are talking to, allowing us to be closer to one another than ever before. This is all great in theory, but some people may be experiencing some delays in joining this communication revolution simply because they can’t seem to get their webcams to work properly.

When computer devices don’t work, it’s usually because of some failure involving drivers, the software that allows your computer to recognize and use such gadgets. This can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, the drivers were shipped before they were fully tested and ready for the market, and need to be updated manually by the user. Other times, the wrong driver might have been packaged along with your device, or a version incompatible with your operating system might have been provided. With almost half of the users who log on to the internet still running Windows XP, this last occurrence has become more and more common. However, Windows XP users don’t necessarily need to switch operating systems in order to use their web cameras. Here are a few things you can try to get it working.

Verify Compatibility

First of all, you need to determine whether or not your webcam supported by Windows XP. Windows maintains and updates an exhaustive catalog of devices supported by this OS, which can be accessed here. Keep in mind that the latest models or webcams from obscure manufacturers might not be on the list yet, but can still be supported, so check the list regularly before making any purchases.

Update Your OS

Your next step is to make sure that your copy of Windows XP is up to date. Microsoft still releases periodic security and functionality updates for Windows XP, along with drivers that make it compatible with the latest devices. You can search for and download the latest updates on Microsoft’s Windows XP Support Page.

Finding the Right Driver

Once you’ve verified that your device is Windows XP compatible and brought your OS up to date, you can now try to find the appropriate drivers for your webcam. The manufacturer’s website is the obvious place to start. Check out their downloads or support pages, and the drivers for their products should be posted there. Be sure to get the one specifically made for Windows XP, as there are often multiple versions available depending on the end user’s operating system.

An Easier Way

If searching for, downloading, and installing your own drivers isn’t your thing, then perhaps you should consider a more automated approach. Simply download our Driver Scan Tool, and it will check all the drivers installed on your system to make sure that they are all compatible with your OS, properly installed, and up-to-date.

Individual drivers may be available and manually installed via manufacturer websites at no charge. We recommend our driver update service that will scan your computer for the most current and compatible drivers and provide them in an easy, convenient method. Registration for the full version is only $29.99 USD for 1 full year of driver updates with the option of a second year for just $9.99 USD.

All third party products, brands, or trademarks used herein are for identification purposes only and are the sole property of their respective owner. No affiliation or endorsement is intended or implied. When using a company's driver you will bound to that company's own legal agreement.

We recommend our installer which is a driver system utility for scanning, matching, downloading, and installing verified drivers. Registration for the full version of the installer is only $29.99 USD for 1 full year of driver updates. with the option of a second year for just $9.99 USD. Many drivers may be obtained directly by visiting the websites of the respective manufacturers.